Getting back to the basics is always fun, especially if it involves heading outdoors, soaking up some sun, and enjoying the best of what nature has to offer. If you’re someone who loves camping and embarking on outdoor adventures, then you definitely need a few outdoor essentials by your side once you leave your house! You need products that help you get down and dirty, live life on the road, and tackle the moodiness of the elements. And, we’ve put together a collection of handy, reliable, and trustworthy outdoor gear that are the sidekicks you need next time you go camping. From an Edison bulb-inspired flashlight that emits a warm glow to a MagSafe-compatible power bank that is all set to go camping with you – these fun and functional camping designs are all you need for your next glamping trip in 2023!
1. The Edison Light Stick
Inspired by the vintage lantern, the Edison Light Stick from Barebones is a multifunctional flashlight on Huckberry, that would be super helpful on all your outdoor adventures. It emits a warm glow that is great in emergencies and functions as a direct light for essential tasks like preparing food or fetching water.
Why is it noteworthy?
The lantern-inspired light glows warmly is multifunctional and can instantly uplift the mood in the camp or double as a reading light for those who still love catching on some good old reading during their camping trips. The glass tube body of the Edison Light Stick features brass and copper construction on top and bottom, while leather accents complete its handsome look.
What we like
- Equipped with seven different light modes so you can have your ideal ambiance anytime, anywhere!
- Exquisite brass and copper construction accentuated with leather accents
What we dislike
- The price tag is a little hefty compared to similar products on the market
2. The LIPOWER Mars-2000
The LIPOWER Mars-2000 is a power station that can provide you with 2000W of power no matter where you travel! The power station quite strangely looks like a beer cooler. But that doesn’t mean you take it less seriously, the power source is really capable and has been equipped with EV-grade LFP batteries for sustained power no matter what your requirement is.
Why is it noteworthy?
The LIPOWER Mars-2000 offers 10 different ports to charge/power a whole slew of devices, including 3 110V AC ports, 3 12V DC ports (including one car outlet), 3 USB-A ports (including one USB3.0 port for fast charging), and one USB-C port that outputs 60W, making it perfect for phones, tablets, and even laptops.
What we like
- There’s also an input for plugging solar panels into the LIPOWER Mars-2000, charging it via solar energy up to 80% in 5 hours, according to its makers, LIPOWER
- Perfect for camping, tailgating and even working in the outdoors
What we dislike
- It is a bit bulky to be carrying around the outdoors
3. The Bag Sofa
Designed to be an excellent portable seating solution, this inflatable chair can be set up in any kind of outdoor environment, allowing you to simply sit back and chill. Called the Bag Sofa, the chair can be folded down to a really flat rectangular piece, that you can easily carry with you anywhere!
Why is it noteworthy?
Part of the bag is made of hard pieces that form the structure or frame of the sofa, while soft cloth-like parts serve as the connecting materials that allow the chair to fold. It’s almost like those fabric-covered foldable boxes, except it’s shaped to form the semblance of a chair when unfolded.
What we like
- Super portable design that can be carried anywhere
- Features a fabric material that protects the skin from sticking to the bag’s synthetic surface
What we dislike
- We’re not sure how comfortable the chair would be to sit on, especially for long durations
4. The Mobile Universe
Called the Mobile Universe, this portable battery is super easy to carry along when you go camping. It has been amped with different inputs and outputs, allowing you to power up all the diverse devices that you require when you go camping. You have AC output, USB-A, USB-C, 12V for car sockets, and other things you may need.
Why is it noteworthy?
It can charge smartphones and even power a small coffeemaker. The device also has different wires and connectors, living up to its “universal” name. Campers and those that will be spending time in the great outdoors can definitely benefit from bringing a device like this if they don’t want to totally go off-grid and still have access to things like phones, tablets, and other electronic devices.
What we like
- Has some significant power to it, allowing it to charge all kinds of devices
What we dislike
- It’s still a concept, and we need more information on it
5. The Chair – A
This intriguing-looking portable chair is called the Chair – A, and it can be folded in half so that it resembles a “jigae” or a traditional Korean carrying tool! It functions as a frame that lets you load more things on your back without having to cram them into your backpack or have them dangling precariously from bags.
Why is it noteworthy?
This kind of tool has been used to easily transport loads of firewood, and its design hasn’t really changed at all in the past centuries. This chair, however, applies an A-frame design that makes the carrier look a bit more aesthetic while also providing more stability.
What we like
- It folds completely flat so that it can be conveniently stored in cramped spaces
- The arms do help shift the weight a bit to prevent strain and injury
- Functions as a chair and a carrying tool
What we dislike
- Not very comfortable because of the fabric seat
- Absence of a backrest
6. The Lava Box
This portable stove is quite unlike the other kitchen appliances we often come across, especially ones designed for the outdoors. The Lava Box is minimal, classy, and inspired by a vinyl player! Its luxurious aesthetics make it super fun to use, and also super fun to carry around and show off! What you get is a box with a cover and when you open it, that’s where the stove shows itself.
Why is it noteworthy?
It’s a single burner with a refillable butane gas container fitting right under it. There’s a wooden know on the right that lets you adjust the flame level for things like when you’re heating water, frying something, or grilling pieces of meat. There are also wooden handles on the side for when you need to move the stove when it’s in use or has recently been used and you don’t want to burn your fingers.
What we like
- Small enough to carry with you on your outdoor trip
- Inspired by a vinyl player, giving it a luxurious and classy look
What we dislike
- It’s still a concept!
7. The Batch #003: PARTS Multipurpose Tool
The Leatherman knives have been widely loved by outdoorsmen for ages galore! The knives’ durability and ability to stay sharp for life make them an absolute fan favorite amongst adventure lovers. And their latest interesting launch is the Batch #003: PARTS multipurpose tool with its unique set of features. A folding knife at heart, the multitool ventures into the world of interchangeable blade options for an EDC.
Why is it noteworthy?
According to Leatherman, their motive is to create the best folding knife out there from the current inventory of products in-house. The result is a multipurpose tool crafted out of 26 parts. It gets an innovative interchangeable blade system to swap compatible blades for the needed task at hand. All this while being ergonomically comfortable and highly functional to the last bit. The EDC gets the G10 handle for a better grip.
What we like
- The knife can be swapped between the premium S30V stainless steel work blade for hardcore tasks or the 154CM blade tailored for normal household tasks
- Crafted from 26 parts
What we dislike
- Has a rather hefty price tag
8. The Tomori Lantern Kit
The Tomori Lantern Kit is really quite interesting because rather than providing us with a ready-made lantern, it functions as a kit that lets you create and set up your own lantern, and then swiftly put it aside when you’re done using it. Once the lantern collapses, it barely occupies any space, and you can fit a conventional flashlight inside it!
Why is it noteworthy?
The base of the kit is a foldable cardboard piece that serves as the flashlight holder and stable structure of the lamp. The kit comes with a rather nondescript LED flashlight that you can use on its own when not docked inside the lantern. In fact, the cardboard base can hold any cylindrical flashlight that is less than 30mm in diameter and 160mm in length. This means that you can use the same flashlight for the lantern as well as for typical uses, or you can have a set of backup flashlights when one’s battery goes empty.
What we like
- The entire kit, excluding the flashlight, folds down to a flat A4-sized package, perfect for stashing in bags or drawers, ready for use in an emergency
- Quite fun to put together and set up your own lantern
What we dislike
- Cannot withstand rain
9. The Tekto Romeo
Called the Tekto Romeo, this incredibly lightweight and super-slim knife is a nifty piece of EDC gear that every EDC lover needs to get their hands on! It features a carbon fiber handle and a build that is extremely maneuverable!
Why is it noteworthy?
Weighing 41 grams (0.09 lbs), the Romeo is amazingly lightweight and showcases a profile that’s volumes slimmer than most knives. But its lightweight and delicate profile shouldn’t make you doubt its functionality and precision as a knife! Romeo’s handle is fabricated from durable carbon fiber, and its Tanto-style blade forged from M390 “Super Steel” blade goes above and beyond to resist wear and tear, even with regular, rough use.
What we like
- Super slim and lightweight build
What we dislike
- No complaints!
10. SHARGE
If you’re someone who loves embarking on adventures in the outdoors, but are tired of always carrying portable power generators that sometimes can be more like excessive baggage than functional essentials, then the SHARGE concept is what you need!
Why is it noteworthy?
If you’re a camping fan, for example, you might want something that doesn’t exactly look like rugged tanks but at least has ties to your favorite hobby. It’s not by coincidence, then, that the SHARGE was designed to mimic the ridges you’d find on camping boxes. While the design is already visually appealing in itself, the structure also helps diffuse the force of impact, giving it a bit of ruggedness as well.
What we like
- MagSafe-compatible
- Rates high on aesthetics
What we dislike
- It’s still a concept!